Levitt Pavilion in San José
The dream of bringing a Levitt Pavilion to San José is within reach. I attended a capital campaign event last night and left energized by the momentum behind this project and the level of commitment from people who believe that music builds community. Notably, we have a few Naglee Park neighbors deeply involved: Laura Wolford, Sally Schroader and Sandra Moll.
For those unfamiliar, the Levitt Pavilion model is a national initiative that brings 50 free outdoor concerts a year to cities across the country. These are not occasional events—they are consistent, professionally programmed music series designed to activate public space. San José joined this network several years ago, and since then, we’ve seen what’s possible: over the past four summers, St. James Park has come alive on many summer Sundays with performances that draw diverse crowds and creates this amazing sense of place.
This effort will culminate in a permanent Levitt Pavilion in St. James Park. But this is not just about building a stage. It is about transforming a historically underutilized park into a reliable destination. The benefits are straightforward. Regular programming brings people downtown, which supports local businesses. A well-used park becomes safer and more welcoming. And perhaps most importantly, it creates a consistent, accessible gathering place where people from across San José can come together without barriers (at least 50 concerts will be free!).
Last night, organizers shared an updated timeline that has not yet been broadly published. A tri-party agreement between the City of San José, the Levitt Foundation, and Levitt San José—signed last summer—unlocked $15.5 million in funding. A $7 million capital campaign is now underway, with construction potentially starting as early as 2027. If all goes as planned, a full concert season on a new permanent stage could begin in 2028. In the interim, programming will continue and expand, including performances during construction.
This project is at a critical stage. It has momentum, but it still requires broad support to cross the finish line. If you care about downtown revitalization, public space, and building a stronger sense of community in San José, this is a project worth backing. That can mean donating, spreading the word, or simply showing up to concerts.
Rick Holden would be so proud.
